U.S. patent application number 11/177363 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for electronic apparatus, display controlling method for electronic apparatus and graphical user interface.
Invention is credited to Daisuke Inaishi, Yuji Ishimura, Satoshi Kanda, Ko Kusanagi, Kenichi Moriwaki, Kazuto Nishizawa, Shimon Sakai, Daisuke Sato, Hiroshi Sato, Masahiro Urano, Shingo Utsuki.
Application Number | 20060020970 11/177363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35658750 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060020970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Utsuki; Shingo ; et
al. |
January 26, 2006 |
Electronic apparatus, display controlling method for electronic
apparatus and graphical user interface
Abstract
A graphical user interface is disclosed which achieves an easy
search for a desired item upon scrolling. A plurality of
representation images individually representing different selection
object items are displayed in an array along one direction of a
display screen. A noticed representation image selected from among
the representation images is displayed emphatically at a fixed
position on the display screen, and explanation information of the
noticed representation image is displayed in the proximity of the
noticed representation image. If a scrolling information for the
array of representation images is issued, then scrolling is
executed such that explanation information also of the
representation images other than the noticed representation image
is displayed. Further, a bar display including a mark representing
the position and the group of the noticed representation image in
the array of representation images is displayed together.
Inventors: |
Utsuki; Shingo; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Nishizawa; Kazuto; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Inaishi; Daisuke; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kusanagi; Ko;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Sato; Hiroshi; (Kanagawa, JP)
; Sato; Daisuke; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Moriwaki;
Kenichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kanda; Satoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ishimura; Yuji; (Tokyo, JP) ; Sakai;
Shimon; (Tokyo, JP) ; Urano; Masahiro;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
35658750 |
Appl. No.: |
11/177363 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/39 ;
348/E5.104; 348/E5.105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4312 20130101;
H04N 5/44591 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101;
G06F 3/0485 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101;
H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/039 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 12, 2004 |
JP |
P2004-205127 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a storage section for
storing display data of a plurality of representation images
individually representing a plurality of selection object items; an
operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a
user for images displayed on a display screen and including the
representation images and outputting the corresponding operation
output signal; and a display control section for displaying said
plural representation images using the display data stored in said
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the
representation images can be selected in response to an operation
input through said operation inputting section; said display
control section emphatically displaying a noticed representation
image selected from among the plural representation images with the
display position of the selected noticed representation image fixed
on said display screen, said display control section changing the
noticed representation image in response to the operation output
signal based on a selection operation of one of the representation
images through said operation inputting section, said display
control section displaying explanation information of the noticed
representation image in the proximity of the display position of
the noticed representation image; said operation inputting section
being operable to accept an operation input of the user for
scrolling the plural representation images in the one direction and
output a scrolling operation output signal; said display control
section executing the scrolling in response to the scrolling
operation output signal such that explanation information of all of
the representation images arrayed along the one direction on the
display screen including the noticed representation image is
displayed additionally and the noticed representation image is
successively changed during the scrolling.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
display control section additionally displays, on said display
screen, a bar display including a mark representing the position of
the noticed representation image in the array of the plural
representation images including the noticed representation image in
response to the scrolling operation output signal.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
plural representation images are divided into a plurality of groups
based on attributes relating to the selection object items and the
displaying order of the plural representation images on said
display screen is set collectively for each of the groups while the
bar display is divided into a plurality of divisional portions in
response to the plural groups and each of the divisional portions
of the bar display is provided with a group display representing to
which one of the groups the divisional portion belongs.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the speed
of the scrolling is controlled so as to increase in accordance with
the period of time after the scrolling is started in response to
the scrolling operation output signal, and the bar display appears
on said display screen after the speed of the scrolling exceeds a
speed determined in advance.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
explanation display regarding the representation images other than
the noticed representation image upon the scrolling is given with a
smaller number of explanation items than that of the explanation
display regarding the noticed representation image.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, upon the
scrolling, the explanation display regarding the noticed
representation image is displayed emphatically together with the
noticed representation image.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
representation images are icons which represent contents and the
grouping is performed based on attributes of the contents.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the
plural representation images which represent the selection object
items are to be displayed on said display screen, said display
control section displays the plural representation images in a
translucent and overlapping relationship on the screen of an image
of an image content displayed on said display screen.
9. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a storage section for
storing display data of a plurality of representation images
individually representing a plurality of selection object items; an
operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a
user for images displayed on a display screen and including the
representation images and outputting the corresponding operation
output signal; and a display control section for displaying the
plural representation images using the display data stored in said
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the
representation images can be selected in response to an operation
input through said operation inputting section; said display
control section emphatically displaying a noticed representation
image selected from among the plural representation images with the
display position of the selected noticed representation image fixed
on said display screen, said display control section changing the
noticed representation image in response to the operation output
signal based on a selection operation of one of the representation
images through said operation inputting section, said display
control section displaying explanation information of the noticed
representation image in the proximity of the display position of
the noticed representation image; the plural representation images
being divided into a plurality of groups based on attributes
relating to the selection object items while the displaying order
of the plural representation images on said display screen is set
collectively for each of the groups; said operation inputting
section being operable to accept an operation input of the user for
scrolling the plural representation images in the one direction and
output a scrolling operation output signal; said display control
section executing the scrolling in response to the scrolling
operation output signal such that the noticed representation image
is successively changed during the scrolling; said display control
section additionally displaying, on said display screen, a bar
display including a mark representing the position of the noticed
representation image in the array of the plural representation
images including the noticed representation image in response to
the scrolling operation output signal, the bar display being
divided into a plurality of divisional portions in response to the
plural groups, each of the divisional portions of the bar display
being provided with a group display representing to which one of
the groups the divisional portion belongs.
10. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus which
includes a storage section for storing display data of a plurality
of representation images individually representing a plurality of
selection object items, an operation inputting section for
accepting an operation input of a user for images displayed on a
display screen and including the representation images, and a
display control section for displaying the plural representation
images using the display data stored in said storage section such
that the plural representation images are arrayed along one
direction of said display screen and one of the representation
images can be selected in response to an operation input through
said operation inputting section, said display control section
emphatically displaying a noticed representation image selected
from among the plural representation images with the display
position of the selected noticed representation image fixed on said
display screen, said display control section changing the noticed
representation image in response to the operation output signal
based on a selection operation of one of the representation images
through said operation inputting section, said display control
section displaying explanation information of the noticed
representation image in the proximity of the display position of
the noticed representation image, said display controlling method
comprising: a step executed by said operation inputting section of
accepting an operation input of the user for scrolling the plural
representation images in the one direction and outputting a
scrolling operation output signal; and a step executed by said
display control section of executing the scrolling in response to
the scrolling operation output signal such that explanation
information of one or ones of the representation images in a
preceding direction and/or a succeeding direction with respect to
the noticed representation image is displayed additionally on said
display screen.
11. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 10, wherein, when the scrolling speed becomes a
speed determined in advance, said display control section
additionally displays, on said display screen, a bar display
including a mark representing the position of the noticed
representation image in the array of the plural representation
images including the noticed representation image.
12. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 11, wherein the plural representation images are
divided into a plurality of groups based on attributes relating to
the selection object items and the plural representation images are
arranged collectively for each of the groups while the location of
the bar display corresponding to the scrolling direction is divided
into a plurality of divisional portions in response to the plural
groups and each of the divisional portions of the bar display is
provided with a group display representing to which one of the
groups the divisional portion belongs.
13. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus which
includes a storage section for storing display data of a plurality
of representation images individually representing a plurality of
selection object items, an operation inputting section for
accepting an operation input of a user for images displayed on a
display screen and including the representation images and
outputting the corresponding operation output signal, and a display
control section for displaying the plural representation images
using the display data stored in said storage section such that the
plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of
said display screen and one of the representation images can be
selected in response to an operation input through said operation
inputting section, said display control section emphatically
displaying a noticed representation image selected from among the
plural representation images with the display position of the
selected noticed representation image fixed on said display screen,
said display control section changing the noticed representation
image in response to the operation output signal based on a
selection operation of one of the representation images through
said operation inputting section, said display controlling method
comprising: the plural representation images being divided into a
plurality of groups based on attributes relating to the selection
object items while the displaying order of the plural
representation images on said display screen is set collectively
for each of the groups; a step executed by said operation inputting
section of accepting an operation input of the user for scrolling
the plural representation images in the one direction and
outputting a scrolling operation output signal; and a step executed
by said display control section of executing the scrolling in
response to the scrolling operation output signal such that the
noticed representation image is successively changed during the
scrolling and additionally displaying, on said display screen, a
bar display including a mark representing the position of the
noticed representation image in the array of the plural
representation images including the noticed representation image in
response to the scrolling operation output signal, the bar display
being divided into a plurality of divisional portions in response
to the plural groups, each of the divisional portions of the bar
display being provided with a group display representing to which
one of the groups the divisional portion belongs.
14. A graphical user interface, comprising: a plurality of
representation images representing selection object items and
arrayed along one direction on a display screen; a noticed
representation image which is selected from among the plural
representation images being displayed emphatically at a fixed
position on said display screen; the representation images being
changed in response to a selection operation of the representation
images through an operation inputting section; explanation
information of the selection object items being displayed in the
proximity of the display position of the representation images; the
representation images being scrolled in response to a scrolling
instruction therefor inputted through said operation inputting
section such that explanation information of the representation
images other than the noticed representation image arranged along
the one direction is displayed.
15. The graphical user interface according to claim 14, wherein,
when the scrolling speed becomes a speed determined in advance, a
bar display including a mark representing the position of the
noticed representation image in the array of the plural
representation images which belong to the selected representation
image is displayed additionally on said display screen.
16. The graphical user interface according to claim 15, wherein the
plural representation images which belong to the selected
representation image are divided into a plurality of groups based
on attributes relating to the selection object items and the plural
representation images are arranged collectively for each of the
groups while the bar display is divided into a plurality of
divisional portions in response to the plural groups and each of
the divisional portions of the bar display is provided with a group
display representing to which one of the groups the divisional
portion belongs.
17. A graphical user interface, comprising: a plurality of
representation images representing selection object items and
arrayed along one direction on a display screen; a noticed
representation image which is selected from among the plural
representation images being displayed emphatically at a fixed
position on said display screen; the representation images being
changed in response to a selection operation of the representation
images through an operation inputting section; explanation
information of the noticed representation image being displayed in
the proximity of the display position of the representation images;
the plural representation images being divided into a plurality of
groups based on attributes relating to the selection object items
while the displaying order of the plural representation images on
said display screen is set collectively for each of the groups;
scrolling of the representation images being performed in response
to a scrolling instruction for the representation images inputted
through said operation inputting section together with a bar
display which includes a mark representing the position of the
noticed representation image in the array of the plural
representation images, the bar display being divided into a
plurality of divisional portions in response to the plural groups,
each of the divisional portions of the bar display being provided
with a group display representing to which one of the groups the
divisional portion belongs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as a
reception apparatus which can receive various types of broadcasts
such as, for example, terrestrial analog broadcasts, terrestrial
digital broadcasts, BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasts and CS
(Communication Satellite) broadcasts and a display controlling
method for an electronic apparatus of the type mentioned.
[0002] Media used to provide image and music contents have been
diversified, and also contents provided have been diversified and
increased in quantity. For example, if only broadcasting media are
taken, terrestrial analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital
broadcasting, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting media and so forth
are available. Further, in the digital broadcasting media, the
number of available program channels is as great as, for example,
150 channels. Furthermore, not only television programs but also
radio programs and data broadcasting programs are provided by some
channels.
[0003] Conventionally, also a multimedia reproduction apparatus
which can reproduce contents of such various media as described
above has been proposed and is disclosed, for example, in Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-73418 (hereinafter referred to as
Patent document 1) (which corresponds to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,990,884
and 6,370,550 and European Patent Application No. 875,837 A2).
[0004] Also a system has been proposed wherein a hard disk
apparatus having a large storage capacity is used to record a large
amount of broadcasting program contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In electronic apparatus such as recording and/or
reproduction apparatus and reception apparatus of the types
described above, a graphical user interface is demanded by which a
user can rapidly search out a broadcasting program content of a
broadcasting channel which the user wants to enjoy or a recorded
content which the user wants to reproduce.
[0006] Particularly where the number of selection items is so great
as in the case of, for example, broadcasting program contents for
150 channels, it is an ordinary method to perform scrolling to
perform a rough search first and then perform selection of the
items one by one. Thus, also a graphical user interface is demanded
which makes it easy to search for a desired location upon such
scrolling.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
graphical user interface which makes it possible to select an item
readily upon scrolling on an electronic apparatus.
[0008] In order to attain the object described above, according to
the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus,
including a storage section for storing display data of a plurality
of representation images individually representing a plurality of
selection object items, an operation inputting section for
accepting an operation input of a user for images displayed on a
display screen and including the representation images, and a
display control section for displaying the plural representation
images using the display data stored in the storage section such
that the plural representation images are arrayed along one
direction of the display screen and one of the representation
images can be selected in response to an operation input through
the operation inputting section, the display control section
emphatically displaying a noticed representation image selected
from among the plural representation images with the display
position of the selected noticed representation image fixed on the
display screen, the display control section changing the noticed
representation image in response to the operation output signal
based on a selection operation of one of the representation images
through the operation inputting section, the display control
section displaying explanation information of the noticed
representation image in the proximity of the display position of
the noticed representation image, the operation inputting section
being operable to accept an operation input of the user for
scrolling the plural representation images in the one direction and
output a scrolling operation output signal, the display control
section executing the scrolling in response to the scrolling
operation output signal such that explanation information of all of
the representation images arrayed along the one direction on the
display screen including the noticed representation image is
displayed additionally and the noticed representation image is
successively changed during the scrolling.
[0009] In the electronic apparatus, a plurality of representation
images are displayed arrayed along one direction, and that one of
the plural representation images which is displayed at a fixed
position determined in advance is determined as a selected noticed
representation image and is displayed emphatically. Further,
explanation information of the noticed representation image is
displayed in the proximity of the noticed representation image.
[0010] Then, if a user uses the operation inputting section to
perform a selection operation of the representation images, then
the noticed representation image at the fixed position is changed
so that it is replaced by the selected representation image. Upon
such selection, explanation information of the representation
images is displayed only with regard to the noticed representation
image.
[0011] If, in this state, the user performs an inputting operation
for scrolling the representation images through the operation
inputting section, then explanation information not only of the
noticed representation image but also of all of the plural
representation images displayed on the display screen is displayed,
and scrolling of the representation images is executed together
with the explanation information. At this time, the noticed
representation image displayed a at the fixed position is changed
in response to the scrolling.
[0012] Accordingly, with the electronic apparatus, when the
representation images are scrolled, the noticed representation
image successively changes in response to the scrolling. Further,
not only explanation information of the noticed representation
image changes in response to the scrolling similarly, but also
image information displayed with regard to the plural
representation images including the noticed representation image
changes in response to the scrolling. Consequently, the scrolling
state is displayed in manner in which the user can recognize it
very readily. Further, the user can easily grasp those of the
representation images which precede to and follow the noticed
representation image being scrolled from the explanation
information of them. Consequently, the user can perform a search of
a desired representation image readily.
[0013] Preferably, the display control section additionally
displays, on the display screen, a bar display including a mark
representing the position of the noticed representation image in
the array of the plural representation images including the noticed
representation image in response to the scrolling operation output
signal.
[0014] In the electronic apparatus, during scrolling, a bar display
including a mark representing the position of the noticed
representation image in the array of the plural representation
images is displayed on the display screen. Consequently, the user
can utilize the bar display when it searches for the position of a
desired representation image. Therefore, the search can be
performed readily.
[0015] Further preferably, the plural representation images are
divided into a plurality of groups based on attributes relating to
the selection object items and the displaying order of the plural
representation images on the display screen is set collectively for
each of the groups while the bar display is divided into a
plurality of divisional portions in response to the plural groups
and each of the divisional portions of the bar display is provided
with a group display representing to which one of the groups the
divisional portion belongs.
[0016] In the electronic apparatus, the representation images are
divided into a plurality of groups based on attributes relating to
the selection object items such as the substances of the processing
function items or the substances of processing object contents, and
the displaying order of the plural representation images on the
display screen is set collectively for each of the groups. Further,
the bar display displayed during the scrolling is divided into a
plurality of divisional portions in response to the groups, and
each of the divisional portions of the bar display is provided with
a group display representing to which one of the groups the
divisional portion belongs.
[0017] Accordingly, depending upon at which group position in the
bar display the mark corresponding to the noticed representation
image is positioned, it can be recognized readily to which group
the noticed representation image belongs.
[0018] In summary, with the electronic apparatus, when a desired
item is searched for through scrolling, not only explanation
information of the noticed representation information is displayed,
but also explanation information regarding other plural
representation images being scrolled is displayed. Consequently, a
search through scrolling is facilitated.
[0019] Further, when the representation images are scrolled, the
bar display including the mark representing the position of the
noticed representation image in the plural representation images is
displayed on the display screen. A search through scrolling is
facilitated. The scrolling search is further facilitated where the
bar display includes a display of groups based on the selection
object items represented by the representation images.
[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by
like reference symbols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware
configuration of a broadcast reception apparatus as an electronic
apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a relationship
between categories as a first item and a second item of a lower
hierarchy in the broadcast reception apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing an example of a
graphical user interface screen of the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating
arrangements of the second items in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 7 to 11 are schematic views showing different examples
of a graphical user interface screen in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 12 to 15 are schematic views showing different
examples of the graphical user interface upon scrolling in the
broadcast reception apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIGS. 16 to 17 are flow charts illustrating processing
action on the graphical user interface in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating scrolling processing
action on the graphical user interface in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing an example of a
graphical user interface screen to which the present invention is
applied; and
[0030] FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic views showing different
examples of the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 19 upon
scrolling.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In the following, broadcast reception apparatus each as an
electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied are
described. The broadcast reception apparatus are configured so as
to receive broadcasting signals from a plurality of different types
of broadcasting media. Further, the broadcast reception apparatus
of the embodiments of the present invention use an icon as a
representation image.
First Embodiment
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a
broadcast reception apparatus as an electronic apparatus according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the broadcasting reception apparatus is
configured such that various broadcast reception sections and
various processing sections such as an image output display
section, a sound outputting section and an operation inputting
section are connected to a system bus 2 which is in turn connected
to a control section 1 formed from a microcomputer.
[0034] In particular, the broadcasting reception apparatus includes
a terrestrial analog broadcast reception section 11, a terrestrial
digital broadcast reception section 12, a BS broadcast reception
section 13 and a CS broadcast reception section 14 as the broadcast
reception sections. The terrestrial analog broadcast reception
section 11, terrestrial digital broadcast reception section 12, BS
broadcast reception section 13 and CS broadcast reception section
14 are connected to the system bus 2 through interfaces 15, 16, 17
and 18 provided respectively.
[0035] The terrestrial analog broadcast reception section 11
selectively receives existing terrestrial analog television
broadcasting signals and outputs an image signal (video signal) and
a sound signal (audio signal) to the system bus 2 through the
interface 15.
[0036] The terrestrial digital broadcast reception section 12 is
ready for digital television broadcasting, digital audio
broadcasting and data broadcasting and selectively receives and
decodes a broadcasting program in response to a selection operation
of a user. Then, the terrestrial digital broadcast reception
section 12 outputs an image signal (video signal), a sound signal
(audio signal) and data such as EPG (Electronic Programming Guide)
data to the system bus 2 through the interface 16.
[0037] The BS broadcast reception section 13 is ready for BS
television broadcasting, BS audio broadcasting and data
broadcasting and selectively receives and decodes a broadcasting
program in response to a selection operation of a user. Then, the
BS broadcast reception section 13 outputs an image signal (video
signal), a sound signal (audio signal) and data such as EPG data to
the system bus 2 through the interface 17.
[0038] The CS broadcast reception section 14 is ready for CS
television broadcasting, CS audio broadcasting and data
broadcasting and selectively receives and decodes a broadcasting
program in response to a selection operation of a user. Then, the
CS broadcast reception section 14 outputs an image signal (video
signal), a sound signal (audio signal) and data such as EPG data to
the system bus 2 through the interface 18.
[0039] Further, in the broadcasting reception apparatus shown in
FIG. 1, a monitor display unit 19 formed from a CRT (Cathode Ray
Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or the like is
connected as an image outputting display section to the system bus
2 through a display interface 20. Further, in the broadcasting
reception apparatus, a speaker 22 is connected as a sound
outputting section to the system bus 2 through a sound outputting
interface 21.
[0040] Further, in the broadcasting reception apparatus, a remote
controller transmitter 23 is provided as an operation inputting
section, and a remote controller reception section 24 for receiving
a remote control signal from the remote controller transmitter 23
is connected to the system bus 2. The remote controller transmitter
23 in the broadcasting reception apparatus includes at least
leftward and rightward direction indicating operation buttons and
upward and downward direction indicating operation buttons, a
"home" button and a "determination" button. In response to an
operation of any of such buttons by the user through the remote
controller transmitter 23, a selection instruction or the like is
performed on a graphical user interface screen.
[0041] It is to be noted that the leftward and rightward direction
indicating operation buttons and upward and downward direction
indicating operation buttons can be formed from, for example, a
cross-shaped upward, downward, leftward and rightward indicating
button, a joystick or some other element.
[0042] Further, a memory card drive 25, a clock section 26, an
external input/output interface 27, a communication interface 28
and a display image producing and outputting section 30, a display
data storage section 29 and an EPG retaining section 31 are
connected to the system bus 2.
[0043] The control section 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing
Unit), a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a working area RAM (Random
Access Memory) and so forth and executes various processes using
the working area RAM in accordance with a program written in the
program ROM.
[0044] Each of the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 selects,
from among object broadcasting signals received by an antenna not
shown, a broadcasting program in response to a selection operation
of a user inputted through the remote controller transmitter 23 and
signals image data and sound data of the selected broadcasting
program or data received from a data broadcast to the system bus
2.
[0045] While the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment provides a broadcasting program to the user from one of
the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14, which one of the
broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 is to be selected depends
upon a selective operation input from the remote controller
transmitter 23 through a graphical user interface hereinafter
described.
[0046] The memory card drive 25 is provided to read data from a
memory card 40 inserted therein or write data into the memory card
40. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can read out and write data from
and into various types of memory cards.
[0047] The clock section 26 provides information of the time at
present and calendar information. The clock section 26 is used also
for reservation setting of a broadcasting program and measurement
of times of various timers corresponding to such reservation
setting.
[0048] The external input/output interface 27 includes various
external input/output terminals such as video input/output
terminals, audio input/output terminals and USB (Universal Serial
Bus) terminals and transfers signals between the input/output
terminals and the system bus 2.
[0049] The communication interface 28 is connected to a
communication line and is used to transmit, where a data broadcast
program is a bidirectional broadcast, a response signal to a
predetermined destination or acquire data broadcast contents from a
server apparatus through a network. It is to be noted that the
communication interface 28 may be used additionally to fetch data
such as data of a web content through the Internet or signal
predetermined information through the Internet.
[0050] The display data storage section 29 stores data of icons
which form the graphical user interface hereinafter described,
channel display data, and other display data such as character
data.
[0051] The display image producing and outputting section 30
produces an image to be displayed on the monitor display unit 19
under the control of the control section 1 and forms a display
control section together with the control section 1.
[0052] The display image producing and outputting section 30 stores
image data and music data from the broadcast reception sections 11
to 14 into an output buffer built therein. Further, the display
image producing and outputting section 30 acquires data for
displaying characters and symbols for the graphic user interface
from the display data storage section 29 and stores the data as
on-screen display data into an on-screen buffer built therein. The
on-screen display data are used to be displayed in an overlapping
relationship with a reproduced image displayed on the screen of the
monitor display unit 19. At this time, the data and the display
image are displayed such that the display image can be observed
from below, for example, through the overlapping image such as the
graphical user interface image.
[0053] The display image producing and outputting section 30
supplies composite data of data stored in the output buffer and
on-screen display data stored in the on-screen buffer to the
monitor display unit 19 through the display interface 20.
[0054] The EPG retaining section 31 retains data of an electronic
program guide (EPG data) in a memory built therein. The EPG data
used here are obtained, with regard to a terrestrial analog
broadcast, from a television broadcast signal wherein the EPG data
are superposed within a vertical blanking period, and, with regard
to a digital broadcast, from a data broadcast sent in the digital
broadcast. The EPG data include data of the name of a broadcasting
station, the name of a broadcasting program, the starting time of
the program, the ending time of the program, performers, the genre
of the program and so forth of each of broadcasting programs.
[0055] The EPG retaining section 31 retains EPG data received from
the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 into a memory thereof.
The EPG data retained in the EPG retaining section 31 are updated
so as to be the latest data.
[0056] It is to be noted that the EPG data to be used may not be
acquired from a broadcasting signal on which the EPG data are
superposed but may otherwise be acquired, for example, from an EPG
data providing server connected to the Internet by accessing the
EPG data providing server using the communication interface 28.
[Graphical User Interface]
[0057] In the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment, selection of a broadcasting medium, selection of a
broadcasting program and selection of any other function can be
performed simply and readily by a user using a graphical user
interface.
[0058] The graphical user interface of the broadcasting reception
apparatus of the present embodiment includes a plurality of icons
which can be selectively designated by a user through an operation
of a predetermined button key of the remote controller transmitter
23 and explanation information of the icons.
[0059] The icons to be displayed on the screen of the monitor
display unit 19 include category icons representing broadcasting
media, setting functions, categories of processing functions of an
external output and so forth and processing objects, and item icons
representing processing function items belonging to the categories
(which therefore form a lower hierarchy) and items of processing
object contents.
[0060] In the present embodiment, seven categories of "setting,"
"photo," "video," "terrestrial broadcast," "BS broadcast," "CS
broadcast" and "external input" are set in advance as the
categories to be represented by the category icons. Data of the
seven category icons are stored in the display data storage section
29.
[0061] The number of item icons representing processing function
items and items of processing object contents in a lower hierarchy
of each category differs among different categories.
[0062] FIG. 2 shows an example of items individually belonging to
the categories in the broadcasting reception apparatus of the
present embodiment. In particular, in FIG. 2, the categories
indicated by halftone dots are shown arranged in a horizontally
row, and a plurality of items belonging to each category are shown
arranged in an upward and downward column from the category. In
FIG. 2, each item belonging to a category indicates that, where
"=>" is described in the description of the explanation of the
item, it has items of a lower hierarchy.
[0063] Meanwhile, each item indicated by rightwardly upwardly
inclined slanting lines is an item of utility (called utility
item). On the other hand, each item indicated by rightwardly
downwardly inclined slanting lines is an item whose function
completes (called function completion item) and may be a content
selection item of a broadcasting channel or the like or an input
changeover item. Further, each item to which none of halftone dots
or slanting lines are applied signifies a logic folder.
[0064] As seen in FIG. 2, for example, the category of "setting"
includes only items of logic folders and particularly includes a
plurality of items such as "setting of television," "setting of
external input" and "setting of photo".
[0065] Further, the category of "photo" includes, as utility items,
items of "card type memory," "sample," and "mix media". It is to be
noted that any utility item surrounded by a dotted line is an item
whose item icon is displayed only when a corresponding medium is
available.
[0066] Further, the category of "video" includes items, as items of
logic folders, of recording reservation, recording reservation
confirmation and so forth and further includes, as a utility item,
an item of "card type memory".
[0067] Further, each of the categories of broadcasting media
includes utility items indicated above the category title and
broadcasting channel items as function completion items indicated
below the category title.
[0068] The items of broadcasting channels which are function
completion items belonging to the categories of broadcasting media
are grouped for each broadcasting object such as a television, a
radio and data. In particular, selection object items belonging to
the category of each broadcasting medium are grouped based on the
broadcasting object as an attribute relating to the selection
object item.
[0069] In particular, in the example of FIG. 2, the selection
object items of the category of the terrestrial broadcasting media
are divided into a group of terrestrial analog broadcasting
channels ("terrestrial A1 ch" is one of the channels), another
group of television channels of terrestrial digital broadcasts
("terrestrial D ch (TV)" is one of the channels), and a further
group of data broadcasts of the terrestrial digital broadcasts
("terrestrial D ch (data)" is one of the channels).
[0070] The selection object items of the category of the BS
broadcasting media are divided into a group of television channels
of the BS broadcasts ("BS ch (TV)" is one of the channels), another
group of radio channels of the BS broadcasts ("BS ch (radio)" is
one of the channels), and a further group of data broadcasts of the
BS broadcasts ("BS ch (data) is one of the channels).
[0071] Further, the category of the CS broadcasting media includes
two broadcasting media of CS1 and CS2, and the selection object
items thereof are divided into a group of television channels of
the CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (TV)" is one of the channels), another
group of television channels of the CS2 broadcasts ("CS2 ch (TV)"
is one of the channels), a further group of radio channels of the
CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (radio)" is one of the channels), a still
further group of radio channels of the CS2 broadcasts ("CS2 ch
(radio)" is one of the channels), a yet further group of data
broadcasts of the CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (data)" is one of the
channels), and a yet further group of data broadcasts of the CS2
broadcast ("CS2 ch (data)" is one of the channels.
[0072] Further, as regards an EPG as a utility item in the category
of each of the broadcasting media, an EPG corresponding to each
group is prepared. For example, "terrestrial A TV EPG" is an EPG
for a terrestrial analog television broadcast; "terrestrial D TV
EPG" is an EPG for a terrestrial digital television broadcast; and
"terrestrial D data EPG" is an EPG for a data broadcast of a
terrestrial digital broadcast.
[0073] The "external input" category includes, as function
completion items, such input changeover items as "video 1," "video
2" and "component 1".
[0074] In the present embodiment, a graphical user interface is
provided wherein a structure which includes a plurality of
processing function items and such items as a processing object
contents substance item immediately below each of the plural
categories shown in FIG. 2 is reflected on the display of the
screen of the monitor display unit 19.
[0075] In particular, each of the categories of FIG. 2 is
displayed, on the screen of the monitor display unit 19, in the
form of a corresponding icon (hereinafter referred to as category
icon), and each of the items shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, on the
screen of the monitor display unit 19, in the form of a
corresponding icon (hereinafter referred to as item icon). Thus, in
a conception, FIG. 2 illustrates a relationship between the
category icons and the item icons immediately below the category
icons.
[0076] FIG. 3 shows an example of an initial menu screen of a
graphical user interface screen displayed on the screen 19D of the
monitor display unit 19 in the present embodiment. In the present
embodiment, the graphical user interface screen is displayed on or
erased from the screen 19D every time the "home" button provided on
the remote controller transmitter 23 which forms the operation
inputting section is operated.
[0077] On the initial menu screen of the present example, a
two-dimensional array is displayed wherein a category icon array
100 in which a plurality of category icons are arranged in a
horizontal row and an item icon array 200 in which a plurality of
item icons are arrayed in a vertical column intersect with each
other at a substantially central portion of the screen.
[0078] The seven different category icons described hereinabove are
arrayed in the category icon array 100. In particular, referring to
FIG. 3, an icon 41 formed from a pattern of a tool box is the
category icon of "setting"; an icon 42 formed from a pattern of a
camera is the category icon of "photo"; an icon 43 formed from a
pattern of a film is the category icon of "video"; an icon 44
including a pattern of a steel tower is the category icon of
"terrestrial digital broadcasting"; an icon 45 including the
characters of "BS" is the category icon of "BS digital
broadcasting"; an icon 46 including the characters of "CS" is the
category icon of "CS digital broadcasting"; and an icon 47
including a horizontally directed arrow mark is the category ion of
"external input".
[0079] As seen from FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the category
icon array 100 is displayed horizontally a little on the higher
side than the center in the vertical direction of the screen 19D of
the monitor display unit 19. Further, one of the seven category
icons 41 to 47 is normally selected, and the selected category icon
is emphasized by displaying the same a little greater than the
other category icons so as to inform the user of which one of the
category icons is currently selected. In the example of FIG. 3, the
category icon 43 of "video" is the selected category icon. Below
the selected category icon, the title name of the category
represented by the category icon is displayed as seen in FIG.
3.
[0080] In this instance, in the present embodiment, the graphical
user interface display screen displays such that, as seen in FIG.
3, the seven different category icons are normally displayed on the
screen while the item icon array 200 is displayed with regard only
to the category icon being selected from among the seven category
icons.
[0081] Accordingly, the initial menu of the graphical user
interface in the present embodiment is formed from an icon array
wherein the category icon array 100 and the item icon array 200
intersect in a cross shape with each other.
[0082] The item icon array 200 includes a plurality of item icons
representing a plurality of items belonging to the category
corresponding to the selected category icon. In the example of FIG.
3, since the "video" category icon 43 is selected, item icons 51,
52 and 53 belonging to the "video" category icon 43 are displayed
in a vertical column as the item icon array 200.
[0083] It is to be noted that, while, in FIG. 3, no item icon is
shown above the item icon array 200, this is because the number of
items which belong to the category of "video" is small, but where
the number of items is great, item icons are arrayed also above the
category icon array 100 in the vertical direction. Further, as
hereinafter described, also when the item icon to be selected
changes, item icons appear also above the category icon array
100.
[0084] Further, where the number of items in a lower hierarchy of a
category icon is great like the category icons 44 to 46 of the
broadcasting media hereinafter described and the category icon of
the external input, it is difficult, from the size of the display
screen of the monitor display unit 19, to display all of items of
the lower hierarchy of a selected category at a time on the screen
19D. Therefore, those item icons which are displayed as the item
icon array 200 on the screen 19D are only part of the items of the
selected category.
[0085] It is to be noted that the arrays of the item icons of the
channel items immediately below the category icons 44 to 46 are
such as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, respectively. In particular, while
the channels of the broadcasting media are grouped for each
broadcasting object as described hereinabove, the array order of
the group units and the array order of the channels in the groups
in the present embodiment are determined in the following
manner.
[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates the array order with regard to the
terrestrial broadcasting category. Referring to FIG. 4, where the
downward direction from a location immediately below the
terrestrial broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array
direction, the groups are arrayed in the order of the terrestrial
analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital (television) and
terrestrial digital (data).
[0087] Then, in the group of the terrestrial analog broadcasting,
the belonging channels are arrayed in the order of registered
channel numbers in the array direction. The array order is the
registered number order but not the physical number order nor the
displayed number order.
[0088] Meanwhile, in the group of the terrestrial digital
broadcasting (television), the belonging channels are arrayed in
the order of the numbers determined in the distribution order in
the array direction. Also in the terrestrial digital broadcasting
(data) group, the channels are arrayed in the order of the numbers
determined in the distribution order in the array direction.
[0089] FIG. 5 illustrates the array order with regard to the
downward direction from a location immediately below the
terrestrial broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array
direction, the groups are arrayed in the order of the BS digital
(television), BS digital (radio) and BS digital (data).
[0090] Then, in each of the groups of the BS digital (television),
BS digital (radio) and BS digital (data), the belonging channels
are arrayed in the order of the numbers determined in the
distribution order in the array direction.
[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates the array order with regard to the CS
broadcasting category. Referring to FIG. 6, where the downward
direction from a location immediately below the terrestrial
broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array direction,
the groups are arrayed in the order of the CS1 digital
(television), CS2 digital (television), CS1 digital (radio), CS2
digital (radio), CS1 digital (data) and CS2 digital (data).
[0092] Then, in each of the groups of the CS1 digital (television),
CS2 digital (television), CS1 digital (radio), CS2 digital (radio),
CS1 digital (data) and CS2 digital (data), the belonging channels
are arrayed in the order of the numbers determined in the
distribution order in the array direction.
[0093] It is to be noted that broadcasting programs of the channels
arrayed in any of the array orders illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 are
formed from those searched out from within EPG data of the
individual broadcasting media at a point of time when the graphical
user interface screen is displayed.
[0094] The graphical user interface screen in the present
embodiment is an on-screen display screen and is displayed in an
overlapping and translucent relationship on the front face of an
image of an image content displayed on the screen 19D. In
particular, the graphical user interface screen is displayed in
such a display manner that, when a broadcasting program is being
viewed on the broadcasting reception apparatus or when an image
picked up by a camera is being reproduced, the image can be
observed translucently through the graphical user interface
screen.
[0095] It is to be noted that an entire region of the category icon
array 100 and the item icon array 200 surrounded by dotted lines in
FIG. 3 may be colored so as to facilitate distinction in appearance
from the background region of the screen 19D or the brightness of
the content image may be adjusted so as to make it easy to watch
the graphical user interface. Naturally, only the category icons or
item icons may be displayed without taking such measures as
coloring or adjustment of the brightness.
[0096] Further, in the present example, the category icon array 100
in the initial menu screen of the graphical user interface screen
does not move in the vertical direction of the screen 19D but is
displayed fixedly at a position, for example, a little higher than
from the center of the screen 19D in the vertical direction as
shown in FIG. 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the region in
which a selected category icon is displayed is an intersecting
region 100C at which the category icon array 100 and the item icon
array 200 intersect with each other, and also the intersecting
region 100C is fixed on the screen 19D. As described hereinabove,
below the category icon positioned in the intersecting region 100C,
the category title name of the category icon is displayed.
[0097] If the user operates the leftward or rightward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
to change the selected category icon to another category icon, then
the plural category icons in the category icon array 100 move in
the entire array thereof in the leftward or rightward direction in
response to the leftward or rightward instruction of the user to
change the selected category icon displayed in the intersecting
region 100C.
[0098] The control section 1 recognizes the category icon displayed
in the intersecting region 100C thereby to recognize the category
selected by the user.
[0099] Also the item icon array 200 does not move in the horizontal
direction similarly, but is displayed fixedly at a position, for
example, a little leftwardly of the center in the horizontal
direction as seen in FIG. 3. However, the plural item icons in the
item icon array 200 can be moved in the upward or downward
direction in response to an instruction of the upward or downward
direction of the user issued through the upward or downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 serving as the operation inputting section.
[0100] As described above, since the display position in the
vertical direction of the category icon array 100 in which the
plural category icons 41 to 47 are arrayed in a row in the
horizontal direction is fixed and the display position in the
horizontal direction of the item icon array 200 in which a
plurality of item icons are arrayed in a column in the vertical
direction is fixed, the intersecting region 100C between the
category icon array 100 and the item icon array 200 is fixed at a
position obliquely leftwardly upwards with respect to the center of
the display screen 19D.
[0101] Further, in the present embodiment, the region 200C
immediately below the intersecting region 100C is determined as a
region of an item icon selected by the user from among a plurality
of item icons in the item icon array 200. In other words, in the
present embodiment, the control section 1 recognizes the item icon
displayed in the region 200C (the region 200C is hereinafter
referred to as noticed region) immediately below the intersecting
region 100C as a selected item icon (the selected item icon is
hereinafter referred to as noticed item icon) thereby to recognize
the selected item.
[0102] It is to be noted that, since the items are laid out and
arrayed in such a manner as described above on the graphical user
interface, in the present embodiment, the noticed region 200C is
positioned substantially at the center of the screen 19D. In order
to make it possible to distinguish the noticed item ion displayed
in the noticed region 200C from the other item icons, the noticed
item icon in the present embodiment is surrounded by a quadrangular
framework 200MK colored in a conspicuous color such as, for
example, yellow so that it is displayed emphatically.
[0103] It is to be noted that the method of emphatic display is not
limited to the method wherein the noticed item icon is surrounded
by the quadrangular framework 200MK but a different method may be
used. For example, similarly as in the case of the category icons,
the noticed item icon may be displayed in a color different from
the other item icons or displayed in a greater size than that of
the other item icons or else may be displayed flickering.
[0104] As described above, in the present embodiment, the category
icon displayed in the intersecting region 100C at a fixed position
is determined as a selected category icon, and the item icon
displayed in the noticed region 200C immediately below the
intersecting region 100C is determined as a noticed item icon.
[0105] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a category selection
operation by a user is an operation of moving the category icon
array 100 in a horizontal direction so that a category icon
corresponding to a desired category is displayed in the
intersecting region 100C, and an operation of a determination
button for category selection or the like is not required. This is
because, when the selected category is positioned in the
intersecting region 100C, the item icon array 200 representing a
plurality of items belonging to the selected category appears
automatically.
[0106] Accordingly, the user can select a category only by issuing
an instruction of the leftward or rightward direction, and such an
instruction operation as is performed on a personal computer such
as a clicking operation of an icon displayed fixedly on a screen by
means of a mouse is unnecessary. Therefore, even if the user is
unfamiliar to a personal computer, the user can perform a selection
operation readily.
[0107] It is to be noted that, while the category icons are moved
leftwardly or rightwardly, they may all be displayed in the same
color and with the same size, and when the leftward or rightward
movement is stopped to position one of the category icons at the
intersecting region 100C finally, the color or the size of the
category icon may be changed so as to display the category icon
emphatically.
[0108] It is to be noted that, as the change of the color, such a
factor as the luminosity, saturation or hue of the category icon
may be changed or the color may be changed by flickering display.
Since the category icon positioned in the intersecting region 100C
is displayed in a different displaying manner from that of the
other category icons, the user can select a category readily.
[0109] It is to be noted that it is possible to hold, when the
category icons are moving in the leftward or rightward direction
and none of the category icons is positioned in the intersecting
region 100C, the item icon array 200 from being displayed and
display, when one of the category icons is positioned finally in
the intersecting region 100C, the item icon array 200 such that it
extends in a projecting manner in the upward and downward direction
from the intersecting region 100C.
[0110] The user can recognize those items which belong to the
category displayed in the intersecting region 100C only by
operating the category icons to scroll leftwardly or rightwardly.
Further, the user can recognize the category from a plurality of
items displayed in a projecting extending fashion.
[0111] It is to be noted that it is possible to display, if an
instruction of the leftward or rightward direction is issued
through the remote controller transmitter 23 while the item icon
array 200 is displayed, the extended item icon array 200 in a
contracting fashion toward the intersecting region 100C.
[0112] On the other hand, the selection operation of an item in a
lower hierarchy of the selected category is an operation of moving
the item icon array 200 in the vertical direction until an item
icon corresponding to a desired item is displayed in the noticed
region 200C.
[0113] In particular, the item icons in the item icon array 200 are
moved in the vertical direction of the screen 19D in response to an
instruction of the upward or downward direction of the user issued
through the upward or downward direction instruction operation
button of the remote controller transmitter 23, whereupon the item
icon positioned in the noticed region 200C immediately below the
intersecting region 100C changes. Then, if the user operates the
"determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23
while the item icon of a desired item is positioned in the noticed
region 200C, then the control section 1 of the broadcasting
reception apparatus erases the graphical user interface and
establishes a state wherein processing of the item is to be
executed.
[0114] However, when items of a lower hierarchy with respect to the
item icon positioned in the noticed region 200C are defined, the
items of the lower hierarchy are displayed on the screen 19D in
response to an operation of the "determination button".
[0115] Since, with respect to the item "recording reservation" in
the example of FIG. 3, items of a lower hierarchy are defined, if
the "determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated on the screen of FIG. 3, then the graphical user
interface screen changes to such a screen as shown in FIG. 7.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 7, in the example shown, the category icon
array disappears from the screen 19D only leaving the category icon
being selected, and the display position of the item icon array
moves to the left end of the screen 19D to leave out the space on
the right side with respect to the item icon array. Then, in the
left out space, a plurality of item icons in the lower hierarchy
are displayed in an upward and downward array and explanation
information regarding the substance of the items corresponding to
the item icons is displayed. At this time, explanation information
regarding all of the item icons of the lower hierarchy is displayed
as seen in FIG. 7.
[0117] Then, the quadrangular framework 200MK which emphatically
displays the noticed item moves to the position of one of the item
icons of the lower hierarchy. Accordingly, the user can selectively
determine a desired lower hierarchy item icon by operating the
upward or downward direction indicating button and then operating
the "determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23.
It is to be noted that any lower hierarchy item may include a
further lower hierarchy.
[0118] In the present embodiment, in order to select an item icon
in the item icon array 200, the user operates the upward or
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 to move a plurality of item icons in the
vertical direction of the screen 19D to search for the item icon of
a desired item.
[0119] Incidentally, the items represented by the item icons
belonging to the category of a broadcasting medium in the present
embodiment are function completion items composed of utility items
and broadcasting channel items as shown in FIG. 2.
[0120] Here, the utility items shown above the category titles of
the broadcasting media in FIG. 2 are EPG items, and preferably,
they can be selected simply on the graphical user interface so that
they can be referred to immediately upon channel selection.
[0121] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when one of the
category icons 44 to 46 of the broadcasting media is selected, the
channel item icons in the item icon array 200 are moved upwardly or
downwardly one by one, but when the noticed item icon is to be
selected with regard to a channel item, the item icons of the
utility items above the category icons 44 to 46 are not moved in
the upward or downward direction while only the item icons of the
function completion items below the category icons 44 to 46 are
moved in the upward or downward direction. This similarly applies
to the item icon array with regard to the category icon 47.
[0122] It is to be noted that, if an instruction to select one of
the items above the channel item (uppermost channel item)
immediately below any of the category icons 44 to 46 in FIGS. 4 to
6 is issued by the user, then the selection instruction becomes a
selection instruction of a utility item, and an item icon of an EPG
item is displayed as the noticed item icon in the noticed region
200C so that it can be selected.
[0123] Then, if the selection instruction operation range of the
user changes to the range which indicates item icons of channel
items from an item icon in the EPG item range, then the icons of
those channel items positioned higher in the array direction than
the item icon of the channel item displayed in the noticed region
200C as the noticed item icon successively disappear from the
screen display as the item icons of the channel items move
downwardly in the array direction.
[0124] FIG. 8 shows an initial menu screen of the graphical user
interface screen where the "terrestrial broadcasting" category icon
44 is the selected category.
[0125] As seen in FIG. 8, on the screen shown, each of the
broadcasting channel items is represented by an icon composed of a
channel number. In the example of FIG. 8, the broadcasting channel
of the channel number "1" is surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK and displayed in the noticed region 200C, thereby
indicating that the channel "1" is selected.
[0126] Further, above the category icon, item icons 61 and 62 where
the EPG function is a utility item are displayed. In the example
shown in FIG. 8, the item icon 61 represents the EPG function for
the terrestrial analog television broadcasting, and the item icon
62 represents the EPG function for the terrestrial digital
television broadcasting.
[0127] Then, on the graphical user interface screen on which any of
the category icons of the broadcasting media is selected, when the
noticed item icon is an item icon of a channel item, the name of
the group to which the selected noticed item icon belongs is
displayed in a group name displaying place 71 on the left side of
the noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C. In the example of
FIG. 8, "terrestrial analog television" is displayed in the group
name displaying place 71.
[0128] On the other hand, on the graphical user interface screen on
which one of the category icons of the recording media is selected,
when the noticed item icon is an item icon of a channel item, in
the example shown, explanation information for two lines is
displayed on the right side of the noticed item icon of the noticed
region 200C.
[0129] The higher line of the explanation information in the two
lines is set as a program name displaying place 72, in which a
broadcasting program name of the channel of the noticed item icon
is displayed. Meanwhile, the lower side line includes a
broadcasting station name displaying place 73 and a broadcasting
time displaying place 74 in which a broadcasting station name and
the broadcasting time (starting time and ending time) of the
channel of the noticed item icon are displayed, respectively.
[0130] Then, if, in the state of FIG. 8, the user operates the
downward direction indicating operation button of the upward and
downward direction indicating operation buttons of the remote
controller transmitter 23 in order to select a channel at a
downward portion in the array direction of the channel numbers,
then the display substance of the screen changes as seen in FIG. 9.
In particular, the noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C
changes to that of the channel "3" of the terrestrial analog
television broadcasting and the item icon of the channel "1"
disappears from the screen. At this time, the item icons 61 and 62
of the EPG items which are utility items are displayed without
changing the position thereof on the screen 19D.
[0131] Further, if an item icon of a channel item at a lower
portion in the channel array direction is selected, then the screen
changes similarly.
[0132] On the contrary, if the user operates the upward direction
indicating operation button of the upward and downward direction
indicating operation buttons of the remote controller transmitter
23 in order to select a channel at an upper portion in the array
direction of the channel numbers, then the display substance of the
screen changes as seen in FIG. 10. In particular, the noticed item
icon of the noticed region 200C changes to an item icon of an EPG
function of the terrestrial analog television broadcasting, and
explanation of this is displayed in a program name displaying place
72.
[0133] Here, if the "determination" button is depressed in this
state, then in the broadcasting reception apparatus, corresponding
EPG data is read out from the display data storage section 29 to
produce EPG display data. Then, the graphical user interface is
erased and the produced and selectively determined EPG screen is
displayed on the screen 19D of the monitor display unit 19.
[0134] Further, in the present embodiment, taking it into
consideration that the number of channel items of the broadcasting
media is great, a scrolling search can be performed upon selection
of an item icon in the item icon array 200.
[0135] Although the operation button for such a scrolling search
may be provided separately on the remote controller transmitter 23,
in the present embodiment, it is determined that a scrolling
starting operation is performed when the upward direction
indicating operation button or the downward direction indicating
operation button of the upward and downward direction indicating
operation buttons of the remote controller transmitter 23 is kept
depressed for more than a fixed period of time, and while the
upward direction indicating operation button or the downward
direction indicating operation button is kept depressed, the
scrolling is continued.
[0136] Then, in the present embodiment, while the scrolling
continues, the scrolling speed increases gradually. Further, in the
present embodiment, the display substance of the graphical user
interface screen changes in response to the scrolling speed so that
the user can perform the search more readily.
[0137] A manner of such change of the screen 19D upon scrolling is
described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. FIG. 11 illustrates a
manner wherein, while the category icon 45 of the BS broadcasting
media is selected, the item icon of the channel 98 of the
television is selected as the noticed item icon. The display of
FIG. 11 is similar to that of FIG. 8 described hereinabove but is
different in that the broadcasting media change from the
terrestrial broadcasting media to the BS broadcasting media.
[0138] If, in the state of FIG. 11, the user depresses, for
example, the downward direction indicating operation button of the
remote controller transmitter 23 for more than a fixed period of
time to perform the scrolling starting operation, then the
graphical user interface screen changes to such a manner as seen in
FIG. 12.
[0139] In particular, on the original screen of FIG. 11,
explanation of the selected channel is displayed on the right side
only with regard to the noticed item icon of the noticed region
200C. However, in FIG. 12, explanation not only with regard to the
noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C but also with regard
to a plurality of channels preceding to and following the channel
selected as the noticed item icon is displayed.
[0140] In particular, on the original screen of FIG. 11, although
the channel numbers of a plurality of channels following the
channel selected through the noticed item icon of the noticed
region 200C are displayed in the item icon array 200, explanation
of the program names of the channels and so forth is not displayed.
Thus, also such explanation as just mentioned is displayed.
[0141] Further, on the original screen of FIG. 11, item icons of
channel items preceding to the selected noticed item ion are not
displayed above the category icon 45 because item icons of EPG
items are displayed above the category icon 45 as described above.
However, on the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 12 after
the scrolling is started, the item icons of the EPG items
disappear, and also item icons of channels preceding to the channel
corresponding to the noticed item icon are displayed.
[0142] Consequently, the user can easily find out a desired channel
item by scroll search.
[0143] However, in the present embodiment, although all of the
program name displaying place 72, broadcasting station name
displaying place 73 and broadcasting time displaying place 74 are
displayed with regard to the noticed item icon as seen in FIG. 12,
with regard to the item icons preceding to and following the
noticed item icon, the substance is displayed only in some of the
program name displaying place 72, broadcasting station name
displaying place 73 and broadcasting time displaying place 74. In
the example of FIG. 12, only a program name is displayed in the
program name displaying place 72. In particular, in the present
embodiment, also on the scrolling screen, explanation information
regarding the noticed item icon is displayed emphatically and
details are displayed. However, explanation information regarding
the item icons other than the noticed item icon to be displayed
simultaneously is limited to part of the explanation information
regarding the noticed item icon.
[0144] The reason why such a displaying manner of explanation
information as just described is adopted is that, even if a large
number of types of information are provided for an image moving at
a high speed in the scrolling display, the information cannot be
recognized readily and, if it is tried to display a large number of
kinds of information, then each piece of information can be
displayed only finely and cannot be recognized readily.
[0145] It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, the
explanation display is performed such that, where it is positioned
on the right side of the noticed item icon, it is displayed densely
or displayed in a different color from the other displays such as,
for example, in bright yellow so that it can be distinguished from
the other item icons displayed thinly, for example, in white
characters. Further, it is common to all of the graphical user
interface screens used in the present embodiment that a
reproduction image of the background can be generally observed
through the graphical user interface screen.
[0146] Further, on the left side of the noticed item icon, the
group name to which the channel corresponding to the noticed item
icon belongs is displayed. However, this group name may not be
displayed at this stage. Further, in FIG. 12, the category icon
array 100 is displayed thinly so that it can be emphasized that the
item icons are being scrolled.
[0147] If the depression state of the downward direction indicating
operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23 is further
continued in this state, then the broadcasting reception apparatus
decides that the scrolling is continued and gradually raises the
scrolling speed. As the scrolling speed gradually rises, the item
icon formed from a channel number surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK is displayed densely so as to be emphasized as
shown in FIG. 13. However, the explanation displays are all
displayed thinly similarly to the other item icons. At this time,
only the explanation information of the noticed item icon may be
kept densely or may be displayed more densely than the other
explanation displays so that it can be noticed.
[0148] If the scrolling further continues until the scrolling speed
exceeds a predetermined value, then a group bar 80 having a
predetermined width in the horizontal direction and extending over
the overall extent of the screen 19D in the vertical direction is
displayed on the left side of the noticed item icon of the item
icon array 200 which is surrounded by the quadrangular framework
200MK and displayed densely so as to be emphasized as shown in
FIG.14. Further, in the present example, the category icon array
100 is erased on the screen of FIG. 14. However, also on the screen
of FIG. 14, the category icon array 100 may otherwise be kept
displayed but thinly without being erased.
[0149] The group bar 80 is displayed so as to correspond to the
array order of the channels of the individual broadcasting medium
described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Thus, the
group bar 80 is divided in the vertical direction in accordance
with the set group such that the individual divided portions have
lengths corresponding to the number of channels included in the
groups. Since the example of FIG. 14 illustrates the group bar 80
of the BS broadcasting, the group bar 80 is divided into three
regions of divisional regions 81, 82 and 83 in accordance with the
grouping of FIG. 5, and the group name is displayed at the bar
portion of each of the divisional regions 81, 82 and 83. Further,
the group bar 80 displays a noticed item icon position display mark
84 indicative of the group and the position of the channel in the
group bar 80 represented by the noticed item icon.
[0150] The noticed item icon position display mark 84 is displayed
using a color which looks conspicuously to the user on the
graphical user interface screen, for example, using bright yellow
similarly to the quadrangular framework 200MK for emphatically
displaying the noticed item icon.
[0151] Consequently, even if the scrolling speed becomes so high
that the noticed item icon displayed on the screen and item icons
preceding to and following the noticed item icon as well as the
explanation displays of them cannot be observed well, it can be
recognized readily from the position of the noticed item icon
position display mark 84 of the group bar 80 which channel position
is being currently scrolled.
[0152] In the present embodiment, scrolling is possible not only
upon selection of a channel item when the selected category icon is
the category icon of any broadcasting medium but upon selection of
an item icon belonging to all of the seven different category
icons.
[0153] However, in the present embodiment, the selection for the
array of item icons in the item icon array 200 is not of the ring
type. In particular, after change of the selection of an item icon
comes to the upper end or lower end of the item icon array, this
cannot be performed any more in the same direction, but can be
performed only in the reverse direction. Accordingly, also in the
scrolling, after it comes to the upper or lower end of the array of
item icons in the item icon array 200, it is stopped there.
Therefore, where the number of items is small, even if the screen
change to the scroll starting screen of FIG. 12 occurs, the
scrolling may be stopped without changing to the screen of FIG. 13
or 14.
[0154] Naturally, however, the scrolling described above can be
applied also where the upper end and the lower end of the item icon
array are coupled to each other in the change of the selection of
an item icon so as to allow ring-lie selection.
[Processing Action on the Graphical User Interface]
[0155] Now, processing action on the graphical user interface is
described with reference to flow charts of FIGS. 15 to 18
particularly in connection with processing action of the control
section 1 which controls the behavior on the graphical user
interface described above. It is to be noted that, in the following
description, the initial menu screen including the category icon
array 100 and the item icon array 200 is referred to as
"cross-shaped menu".
[0156] Further, while, in the foregoing description, when item
icons of a lower hierarchy of an item icon are displayed,
explanation information regarding all of the item icons of the
lower hierarchy is displayed together, in the following
description, also with regard to the item icons of the lower
hierarchy, explanation information only of the noticed item icon
among them is displayed initially, and only when a scroll starting
instruction is issued, explanation information of all of the item
icons is displayed similarly to the item icons of the first
hierarchy.
[0157] The broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment is configured such that, after a main power supply
switch is switched on, every time the power supply key of the
remote controller transmitter 23 is depressed, the broadcasting
reception apparatus repeats changeover between a state wherein the
power supply is on and a standby state wherein the power is
available only to those elements necessary to restore the state
wherein the power supply is on. Then, when the power supply key is
operated in the standby state to switch on the power supply, the
broadcasting reception apparatus builds up to restore a state (last
state) at a point of time immediately before the standby state is
entered.
[0158] Further, in the following description, operation of the
power supply key and the various buttons is performed on the remote
controller transmitter 23 by the user, and the control section 1
supervises a signal from the remote controller reception section 24
to detect a key or button operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23. However, for simplified description, such an
expression that the control section 1 detects an operation of a key
or button is used in the following description.
[0159] When the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment is in the standby state, the control section 1 normally
supervises an operation input of the power supply key as seen in
FIG. 15 (step S101). Then, if it is detected at step S101 that the
power supply key is operated, then the control section 1 displays
the screen of the last state on the screen 19D of the monitor
display unit 19 and displays the cross-shaped menu in an
overlapping relationship (step S102).
[0160] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"home" button is operated by the user (step S103). If it is decided
that the "home" button is depressed, then the control section 1
erases the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu on the
screen 19D (step S104).
[0161] Then, the control section 1 supervises an operation input of
the power supply key again (step S105). Then, if an operation of
the power supply key is detected, then the control section 1 stores
the last state and restores the standby state (step S106), thereby
ending the processing routine.
[0162] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S105 that the
power supply key is not operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "home" button is operated (step S107).
If it is decided that the "home" button is not operated, then the
processing returns to step S105. On the other hand, if it is
decided at step S107 that the "home" button is operated, then the
control section 1 displays the cross-shaped menu screen in an
overlapping relationship on the screen 19D of the monitor display
unit 19 being viewed (step S108). The processing thereafter returns
to step S103.
[0163] Then, if it is decided at step S103 that the "home" button
is not operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not
a category changing inputting operation by the leftward or
rightward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is performed on the graphical user
interface screen formed from the cross-shaped menu being displayed
in an overlapping relationship (step S111 of FIG. 16).
[0164] If it is decided at step S111 that a category changing
inputting operation is performed on the cross-shaped menu screen
displayed in an overlapping relationship, then the control section
1 controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
change the selected category icon to that according to the changing
instruction of the user on the cross-shaped menu screen and change
the item icon array 200 so that it may be formed from those item
icons which belong to the changed category icon. At this time, the
control section 1 recognizes the category corresponding to the
selected category icon as a selected category (step S112).
[0165] If it is decided at step S111 that no category changing
inputting operation is performed or after a process of changing the
selected category is performed at step S112, the processing
advances to step S113. At step S113, the control section 1 decides
whether or not the upward direction indicating operation button or
the downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated thereby to decide whether or
not an operation for changing the noticed item icon in the noticed
region 200C of the item icon array 200 of the cross-shaped menu is
performed.
[0166] Then, if it is decided at step S113 that one of the upward
direction indicating operation button and the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
button operation is a long-time operation which is a state wherein
the button operation continues for more than a predetermined period
of time (step S114). If it is decided that the button operation is
a long-time operation, then the control section 1 performs a
scrolling process hereinafter described (step S115). Thereafter,
the processing returns to step S113.
[0167] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S114 that the
button operation is not a long-time operation, then the control
section 1 controls the display image producing and outputting
section 30 to change the noticed item icon, which is to be
displayed in the noticed region 200C on the cross-shaped menu, to
an item icon adjacent in the direction of the changing operation to
the noticed item icon at present and determine an item
corresponding to the item icon displayed newly in the noticed
region 200C as a noticed item (step S116).
[0168] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"determination" button is operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23 (step S117). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S113 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step
S113 described above are repeated.
[0169] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S117 that the
"determination" button is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the determined item has lower hierarchy
items (step S118). If it is decided that the determined item has no
lower hierarchy items, then the control section 1 erases the
cross-shaped menu from the screen 19D and executed a function or
process of the item which is currently regarded as the noticed item
(step S121). Thereafter, the processing advances to step S105 of
FIG. 15 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step S105
described hereinabove are repeated.
[0170] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S118 that the
determined item has lower hierarchy items, then the control section
1 controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
display a plurality of ones of the lower hierarchy items of the
notice item on the screen 19D (step S119). This state corresponds
to the state wherein the "determination" button is depressed while
the item icon of recording reservation is selected as the noticed
item icon, and the display of the screen 19D at step S119 is, for
example, such display as shown in FIG. 7.
[0171] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
upward direction indicating operation button or the downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated on the display screen of the lower
hierarchy items to decide whether or not a changing operation of
the noticed item icon of the lower hierarchy surrounded by the
quadrangular framework 200MK is performed (step S131).
[0172] Then, if it is decided at step S131 that one of the upward
direction indicating operation button and the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is depressed, then the control section 1 decides whether not the
button operation is long-time depression wherein the button
operation continues for more than a predetermined period of time
(step S132). Then, if it is decided that the button operation is
long-time depression, then the control section 1 performs a
scrolling process hereinafter described (step S135). Thereafter,
the processing returns to step S131.
[0173] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S132 that the
button operation is not long-time depression, then the control
section 1 controls the display image producing and outputting
section 30 to change the noticed item icon of the lower hierarchy
surrounded by the quadrangular framework 200MK to an adjacent item
icon next in the changing operation direction of the noticed item
icon at present to determine an item corresponding to the item icon
displayed newly in the region surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK as a noticed item (step S133).
[0174] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"determination" button is operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23 (step S134). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S131 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step
S131 described above are repeated. On the other hand, if it is
decided at step S134 that the "determination" button is operated,
then the processing returns to step S118 of FIG. 16 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S118 described
hereinabove are repeated.
[0175] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S131 that none
of the upward direction indicating operation button and the
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "return" button is operated on the
remote controller transmitter 23 (step S136). If it is decided that
the "return" button is operated, then the control section 1
controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 so
that the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu is returned
to the state of the immediately preceding screen (step S137). Then,
the processing returns to step S111 of FIG. 16 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S111 are repeated.
[0176] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S136 that the
"return" button is not operated, then the control section 1 decides
whether or not the "home" button is operated (step S138). If it is
decided that the "home" button is depressed, then the control
section 1 erases the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu
on the screen 19D (step S139). Then, the processing advances to
step S105 of FIG. 15 so that the processes at the steps beginning
with step S105 are performed.
[0177] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S138 that the
"home" button is operated, then the control section 1 returns the
processing to step S131 to repeat the processes at the steps
beginning with step S131.
[0178] Then, if it is decided at step S113 of FIG. 16 that none of
the upward direction indicating operation button and the downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated, then the control section 1 decides
whether or not the "determination" button is operated on the remote
controller transmitter 23 (step S120). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S103 of FIG. 15 so that the processes at the steps
beginning with step S103 described hereinabove are repeated.
[0179] Now, the scrolling process at step S115 of FIG. 16 or at
step S135 of FIG. 17 is described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0180] As described hereinabove, the processing routine of FIG. 18
is started when long-time depression of the upward direction
indicating operation button or the downward direction indicating
operation button, which is regarded as a scrolling starting
operation, is performed on the remote controller transmitter
23.
[0181] After the scrolling starting operation described above is
detected, the control section 1 controls the display image
producing and outputting section 30 to start scrolling in such a
state that explanation information not only of the noticed item
icon but also of item icons preceding to and following the noticed
item icon are displayed as seen in FIG. 12 (step S141). Then, the
control section 1 successively changes the noticed item icon in the
indicating direction of the operated button (step S142).
[0182] Then, the control section 1 controls the display image
producing and outputting section 30 to gradually raise the
scrolling speed and control the density of the display of the
cross-shaped menu screen in accordance with the scrolling speed as
seen on the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 13 described
hereinabove (step S143).
[0183] Thereafter, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
scrolling speed exceeds a predetermined speed (step S144). If it is
decided that the scrolling speed does not exceed the predetermined
speed, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
long-time depression of the upward direction indicating operation
button or the downward direction indicating operation button is
stopped (step S145). If it is decided that the long-term depression
is not stopped, then the control section 1 decides whether or not
the last item in the scrolling direction is reached (step
S146).
[0184] If it is decided at step S145 that the long-time depression
is stopped, or if it is decided at step S146 that the last item in
the scrolling direction is reached, then the control section 1
stops the scrolling and displays a cross-shaped menu screen on
which the item at which the scrolling stops is displayed
emphatically (step S147), thereby ending the processing.
[0185] If it is decided at step S144 that the scrolling speed
exceeds the predetermined speed, then the control section 1
controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
additionally display the group bar 80 on the screen 19D as seen on
the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 14 and display the
noticed item icon position display mark 84 indicative of the group
and the position of the noticed item icon in the group bar 80 (step
S148). Then, the processing advances from step S148 to step
S145.
[0186] In this manner, since, in the present embodiment, upon
scrolling, not only explanation information of the noticed item
icon is displayed but also explanation information of item icons
preceding to and following the noticed item icon is displayed, the
user can perform a scrolling search readily.
[0187] Further, in the present embodiment, as the scrolling speed
increases, the group bar 80 including the noticed item icon
position display mark 84 appears on the scrolling screen so as to
notify the user of the group and the position of the noticed item
icon in the item icon array. Therefore, the user can perform
scrolling search readily by referring to the group bar 80.
[0188] It is to be noted that, while, in the example described
above, the scrolling is performed only within the range of the
channel selection of the broadcasting media, the scrolling may
otherwise be performed including also the utility items.
[0189] Further, while the group bar 80 is displayed when the
predetermined scrolling speed is reached, it may otherwise be
displayed at a starting point of time of scrolling.
[0190] Further, not the group bar but a bar which does not include
group divisions corresponding to the item icon array may be
displayed such that a noticed item icon position indicating mark
representative of at which position the noticed item icon is is
displayed on the bar. In this instance, the group name to which the
noticed item icon belongs may be displayed together at a suitable
location on the display screen.
Second Embodiment
[0191] In the embodiment described above, the electronic apparatus
is a broadcasting reception apparatus, and scrolling is performed
for items in channel selection of the categories of the
broadcasting media. Therefore, the items are classified into the
groups of the television broadcasting, radio broadcasting and data
broadcasting in advance. However, the present invention is not
limited to the case described.
[0192] For example, the present invention can be applied also to a
search for a broadcasting program content stored in a data storage
apparatus of a large capacity such as a hard disk apparatus or a
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive where the data storage apparatus
is provided in the broadcasting reception apparatus of the
embodiment described hereinabove and is used to record and store
data of broadcasting program contents.
[0193] In this instance, when the broadcasting reception apparatus
stores data of a broadcasting program content into the data storage
apparatus, it records information of the recording year, month, day
and hour of the broadcasting program content and refers to EPG data
to record, for example, the genre of the broadcasting program
content.
[0194] Further, a category icon of the data storage media is added
to the category icons in the embodiment described hereinabove, and
a broadcasting program content is set as an item icon. The item
icon is formed from a number such as, for example, a recoding
number, and when it is selected as the noticed item icon, the
broadcasting program name, broadcasting time, broadcasting station
name and so forth are displayed as explanation information to be
displayed on the left side of the item icon.
[0195] It is to be noted that, when the broadcasting program
content is a television broadcasting program, a thumbnail image
such as a title screen of the broadcasting program may be used as a
representation image in place of an item icon.
[0196] Then, item icons or thumbnail images are grouped depending
upon an attribute of the selection object items, in the present
embodiment, depending upon the genre such as the movie, sports or
news. In each group, the item icons or thumbnail images are arrayed
in the order of the recording year, month, day and hour. In this
instance, the order in the array may be any of the ascending order
and the descending order in time, or may be set so as to be
selected between them by the user.
[0197] In the present example, while the category icon of the data
storage media is selected, the item icons or thumbnail images of
the broadcasting program contents are displayed in the vertical
direction of the screen 19D. Then, selection of a noticed item icon
or a noticed thumbnail image is performed and scrolling is
performed in a similar manner as in the embodiment described
hereinabove.
[0198] Further, in the present example, when the scrolling speed
exceeds a predetermined speed, the group bar 80 including the
noticed item icon position display mark 84 is displayed. In this
instance, in each of the divisional regions of the group bar 80,
the genre name of the group of the divisional region is
displayed.
[0199] It is to be noted that, for the genres used for grouping in
this instance, all of the genres included in the EPG data may not
be used, but the user may designate a plurality of particular
genres such as, for example, "movie," "drama" or "sports". In this
instance, broadcasting program contents are classified such that
those to be recorded are grouped in accordance with the designated
genres and any broadcasting program content which belongs to any
genre other than the designated genres is classified into a group
of "others".
[0200] Further, the reference for grouping where recorded
broadcasting program contents are to be grouped is not limited to
the genre. For example, it is possible for a user to designate
particular several performers or players and classify broadcasting
program contents in which the designated performers or players
perform into groups of the individual performers or players. Also
in this instance, any broadcasting program content in which only
performers or players other than the designated performers or
players perform is classified into a group of "others". Further,
also in the present example, the performers or players in each
group are arrayed in the order of the year, month, day and
hour.
Third Embodiment
[0201] In the first and second embodiments described above,
scrolling is performed for item icons or thumbnail image items
immediately below the category icons on the cross-shaped menu
screen. However, the present invention does not presuppose such a
cross-shaped menu screen as described above but can be applied to
all cases wherein a desired representation image is selected from
among a plurality of representation images arrayed in one direction
on a display screen and representing a plurality of selection
object items.
[0202] FIG. 19 shows an example of a recorded broadcasting program
list screen which is displayed on a display screen 90 of a monitor
display when a reproduction search button of a remote controller
transmitter is operated on a recording and reproduction apparatus
which has functions of storing data of broadcasting program
contents on a content data storage section formed from a large
capacity recording medium such as a hard disk and reading out data
of a desired broadcasting program content from the content data
storage section.
[0203] Also in the present embodiment, such graphical user
interface screens as described above allow an image being
reproduced to be displayed thinly in a visually observable state on
a screen being reproduced.
[0204] In the example of FIG. 19, when the recording and
reproduction apparatus stores data of a broadcasting program
content on the content data storage section, it stores not only
information of the year, month, day and hour of the storage but
also information of groups classified based on grouping attributes
set by a user in advance similarly as in the second embodiment.
[0205] For the grouping attributes, for example, the genres of
broadcasting programs included in EPG data are used in the present
example. Further, in the present example, the user can designate a
genre or genres which are to be separated specially. Broadcasting
program contents which belong to any other genre than the
designated genre or genres are grouped into the other group. For
the designation of a genre for grouping, a setting mode is prepared
in the recording and reproduction apparatus of the present example.
Thus, the user selects grouping designation in the setting mode and
selects a genre to be designated from within a genre list prepared
in advance.
[0206] Further, the recording and reproduction apparatus of the
present embodiment produces, as a representation image for
representing each broadcasting program content, a thumbnail image
such as, for example, a title screen of the broadcasting program
and stores the thumbnail image as display data.
[0207] Then, the recording and reproduction apparatus of the
present embodiment displays, on the display screen, such thumbnail
images as representation images of broadcasting contents as
described above in the order according to the year, month, day and
hour of the storage in each group. In the present embodiment, the
order can be selected from between an ascending order and a
descending order in time in the setting mode by the user.
[0208] On the display screen 90 of the example of FIG. 19, a
plurality of representation images representing different
broadcasting program contents from within the data of the
broadcasting program contents stored on the content data storage
section are displayed in a state arrayed in a vertical
direction.
[0209] In this instance, a thumbnail image of a broadcasting
program content selected last in the search of data in the past is
displayed as a noticed thumbnail image 91C substantially at the
center of the screen in the vertical direction. Further, a
plurality of thumbnail images of different broadcasting program
contents preceding to and following the broadcasting program
content represented by the noticed thumbnail image 91C are arrayed
in the order above and below the noticed thumbnail image 91C.
[0210] Also in the present example, the noticed thumbnail image 91C
is displayed at the fixed position on the display screen 90
emphatically, for example, in a size greater than that of the other
thumbnail images. As a method of emphatically displaying the
noticed thumbnail image 91C, such a method of displaying the
noticed thumbnail image 91C in a color different from that of the
other thumbnail images or the like may be used solely or in
combination with the size emphasis.
[0211] On the left side of the noticed thumbnail image 91C, the
genre name as a group to which the broadcasting program content
represented by the noticed thumbnail image belongs is displayed in
a group name display place 92. Further on the right side of the
noticed thumbnail image 91C, a display place or places for
explanation information are provided. In particular, in the example
shown in FIG. 19, a broadcasting program content storage time
display place 93, a broadcasting station name display place 94 for
displaying the name of a broadcasting station by which the
broadcasting program content was provided and a broadcasting
program name display place 95 are displayed in two lines.
[0212] In the broadcasting program content storage time display
place 93, the year, month, day and hour when the data of the
broadcasting program content were stored on the content data
storage section is displayed. In the broadcasting station name
display place 94, the name of the broadcasting station by which the
broadcasting program content was provided, and the name of the
broadcasting program is displayed in the broadcasting program name
display place 95.
[0213] On the screen of FIG. 19, the group name or explanation
information is not displayed with regard to the thumbnail images of
the other broadcasting program contents similarly as in the
preceding embodiments.
[0214] If, in a state wherein the screen of FIG. 19 is displayed,
the user operates the upward or downward direction indicating
operation button of the operation inputting section of the remote
controller transmitter or the like, then the thumbnail images are
shifted one by one in the vertical direction so that the noticed
thumbnail image 91C may be changed.
[0215] Then, if, in the state wherein the screen of FIG. 19 is
displayed, the user uses the operation inputting section of the
remote controller transmitter or the like to start scrolling, then
explanation information is displayed not only with regard to the
noticed thumbnail image but also with regard to thumbnail images
preceding to and following the noticed thumbnail image as seen in
FIG. 20. At this time, as explanation information with regard to
the noticed thumbnail image, the broadcasting program content
storage time display place 93 and the broadcasting station name
display place 94 and broadcasting program name display place 95 are
displayed in two lines. However, as explanation information with
regard to the thumbnail images other than the noticed thumbnail
image, only some of the broadcasting program content storage time
display place 93 and the broadcasting station name display place 94
and broadcasting program name display place 95 is displayed. In the
example shown in FIG. 20, only the broadcasting program content
storage time display place 93 is displayed as explanation
information.
[0216] Since explanation information not only of the noticed
thumbnail image but also of thumbnail images preceding to and
following the noticed thumbnail image in this manner, it is easy
for the user to find out a desired broadcasting program content by
a scrolling search.
[0217] Then, if the scrolling is further continued, then the
scrolling speed rises gradually, and while the noticed thumbnail
image 91C and the group name (genre name) remain displayed densely,
the explanation information displays are displayed less densely in
response to the scrolling speed. At this time, only the explanation
information of the noticed thumbnail image 91C may otherwise remain
displayed densely or be displayed more densely than the other
explanation information displays so that attention may be paid to
the same.
[0218] Then, if the scrolling speed exceeds a predetermined
scrolling speed determined in advance, then the display screen 90
changes to such a screen as shown in FIG. 21, in which the group
name display place on the left side of the noticed thumbnail image
91C disappears and a group bar 300 extending along the array of the
thumbnail images is displayed instead. The group bar 300 in this
example is divided into groups depending upon the designated
genres, and in regions 301, 302, 303 and 304 of the divisional
groups in the example shown, the genre names "movie", "sports",
"document" and "others" are displayed in accordance with the
designations of the user, respectively.
[0219] Further, a noticed position display mark 305 is displayed on
the group bar 300 and indicates the position in order and the group
of the broadcasting program content of the noticed thumbnail image
91C.
[0220] Accordingly, the user can recognize a scrolling search
position readily by referring to the group bar, and this
facilitates a search for a desired broadcasting program content
together with the thumbnails and the explanation displays of the
thumbnail images.
[0221] The scrolling processing action in the third embodiment is
similar to the processing action described hereinabove with
reference to FIG. 18. Therefore, description of the scrolling
processing action is omitted herein to avoid redundancy.
[0222] It is to be noted that, while the group bar 300 is displayed
so as to appear when a particular scrolling speed is reached, it
may otherwise be displayed so as to appear at a point of time at
which scrolling is started.
[0223] Further, not the group bar but a bar which does not involve
group divisions may be displayed such that only the noticed
position display mark 305 indicating the position of the noticed
thumbnail image is displayed on the bar. In this instance, the name
of the group to which the noticed thumbnail image belongs may be
displayed at some separate location.
OTHER MODIFICATIONS
[0224] It is to be noted that the selection object items
represented by item icons or thumbnail images may be some other
contents. For example, the object of item icons or thumbnail images
may be contents of electronic books or game programs. The content
here is defined as a movie, music, a play, literature, a
photograph, a cartoon, an animation, a computer game, or a
character, a graphic form, a color, sound, action or an image or a
combination of them, or a program for providing information
relating to them through a computer, which is created by creative
activities of the human being and belongs to the culture or
entertainment.
[0225] Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the
display position of the group bar is set to the left side with
respect to the noticed item icon, it is not restricted to this
position but may be set to some other position. Further, the group
bar need not be displayed along an array of representation images
such as an item icon array or a thumbnail image array, but may be
displayed in a direction different from the direction of the array
of representation images.
[0226] Further, the mark representing the noticed item icon
position on the group bar is not limited to the example described
above, but such a displaying method that, for example, a triangular
mark or an arrow mark is displayed on the outer side of the bar may
be used.
[0227] Further, while the representation images in the example
described hereinabove with reference to the drawings are icons
including a graphic form or a character, icons formed from a
channel number or thumbnail images formed from images obtained by
reducing the size of some images of a broadcasting program, some
other symbols may be used as the representation images.
[0228] While, in the foregoing embodiments, the electronic
apparatus of the present invention is a broadcasting reception
apparatus, the electronic apparatus according to the present
invention is not limited to such a broadcasting reception apparatus
as described above but can be applied to any electronic apparatus,
for example, such as the recording and reproduction apparatus for
image data and sound data only if the electronic apparatus includes
a plurality of categories each of which has a plurality of
processing function items in a lower hierarchy thereof.
[0229] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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